A short three-game series in the NBA on Tuesday will be headlined by a cross-town showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at 11:00 PM ET on NBC. It was a tale of two different seasons for these two LA teams. LeBron James and company are 12-4, while the Clips are 5-12.
Let’s take a look at my Clippers vs. Lakers predictions.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Moneyline: Clippers +188 / Lakers -225
Distribution: Clippers +6 (-110) / Lakers -6 (-110)
Total: More than 228.5 (-110) / Less than 228.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Best Bet No. 1: Clippers +6 (-110)
The Clippers are 5-12 and that’s why they get six points in this game. Still, they’re really not that bad. Kawhi Leonard recently missed ten games due to an ankle injury and that is why his team’s record is so bad. However, Leonard returned last Sunday and promptly produced 20 points and three steals against the Cavs.
Although the Lakers are 12-4, they haven’t faced the toughest opposition. Head coach JJ Redick’s team has not defeated a good team since November 5 (San Antonio). The Lakers currently face two teams with winning records since that win over the Spurs, losing by 20 points to the Hawks and by 29 points to the Thunder. Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for this game due to a knee injury. That’s tough for the Lakers, as Ayton has impressed during his first season in Los Angeles, averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will get more playing time in Ayton’s absence and neither of those big men inspire any confidence.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers best player prop bet: Ivica Zubac Over 16.5 points (+100)
Without Ayton, the Lakers could be in trouble against Zubac. The 7’0″ center from Croatia is in the midst of an excellent 2025-26 campaign. He is averaging 17.0 ppg, 11.6 rpg, and 2.4 apg. Zubac is coming off a huge 33-point, 18-rebound performance against Cleveland.
In four games against the Lakers during the 2024-2025 season, Zubac surpassed the 20-point mark twice. He averaged 19.5 ppg in the last two head-to-head games.
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